Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A CLEANING MACHINE, SUCH AS A VACUUM CLEANER COMPRISING A
HOUSING, AND A HINGEABLE ELEMENT BEING DETACHABLY ATTACHABLE
THERETO
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a cleaning machine, e.g. such as a vacuum
cleaner,
comprising a housing and at least one hingeable element, such as a cover,
being
detachably attachable thereto. The present invention further relates to said
hingeable element itself, such as a cover.
BACKGROUND ART
A general problem acknowledged within the field of cleaning machines, such as
vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, high pressure washers, sweeping and scrubbing
machines, for example, is the problem of their covers being susceptible to
breaking
off and/or becoming damaged during transport to and from a position of use,
and
during the use of the machine. The cover may be accidentally left open or
knocked
open and impact with an operators leg or a wall and then be knocked off. The
housing or the closed cover might impact on a wall or onto the floor and twist
the
housing or cover such that the cover falls off the hinge. This can potentially
harm
the operator, damage the wall, the housing, the hinge and/or the cover.
Therefore, some cleaners include a "break away" for the cover which is a hinge
allowing easy and total removal of the cover from the machine. Thus, the cover
is
both easily detachable and re-attachable in order to limit or prevent such
harmful
damage to the operator, the cover, hinge, housing, or its associated
structure.
US 5,233,722 describes an example of such easily detachable feature or break-
away
comprising a tool door being hingedly attached to a upright vacuum cleaner
having a
hard housing upper portion. A pair of integral pivot pins extends parallel to
a bottom
wall but set slightly upwardly therefrom, where each of these pivot pins are
received
in an open U shaped portion formed by two outwardly extending short arms which
are turned inwardly towards each other at their outer ends for forming a pivot
hinge
for lodgement of said pivot pins. The tool door is swung downwardly to a
completely
releasable or break-away position occasioned by each of the tool door pivot
pins
essentially walking out of the pivot hinges by the pivot pins camming against
the
inside of the lower arm and forcibly springing past the upper arm.
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Some more complex hinge structures have been designed in order to solve the
ensuing problem of the cover then becoming too detachable or loose. It might
fall
off during operation or storage, may become an operative nuisance and have an
increased risk of getting lost.
WO 2011/012481 describes a suction cleaner having a housing and a cover for
covering a chamber in the housing in a form-fitting manner via a joint having
a first
joint part comprising a link joint and a second cover joint part which are
connected
movably to each other via a link joint. The second joint part comprising two
protruding coupling arms is connected releasably to the cover through the
engagement with two protruding engagement fittings and to the housing via a
hinged connection. This allows a releasable cover, easy access, and easy
replacement of a damaged cover.
A disadvantage of this latter more complex solution is the need to provide the
two
joint parts as well as the protruding arms/fittings within precise tolerances
in order
for these to fit together and click-lock correctly. This requires a complex
and thus
costly plastic forming process during manufacture of the cover joint parts,
housing
joint part, protruding coupling arms and fittings, as well as the hinge. Also,
by
introducing protruding arms the risk of damage - not only to the cover or
housing
but also to the joint parts themselves - increases, in particular when the
cover is in
an open position. Further, the reattachment of the cover or installing a new
cover
may also be labor intensive.
Further, if the cleaning machine is used regularly, such as during industrial
cleaning
operations, the cover may have to be put on and taken off many times. When
cleaning machines are fitted with hinges and covers which require correct and
laborious fitting this can reduce the operational up-time of the machine.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning
machine
having a break away or detachable cover, which is easy to operate i.e. open
and
close, has a low risk of getting damaged or lost and is easily detachable and
re-
attachable to function also as a break away.
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DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
This and other objects have been solved by the invention as defined in the
appended claims and described herein below. It has been found that the
invention
and the embodiments thereof have a number of additional advantages which will
be
clear to the skilled person from the following description.
It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used herein
is
to be interpreted as an open term, i.e. it should be taken to specify the
presence of
specifically stated feature(s), such as element(s), unit(s), integer(s),
step(s)
component(s) and combination(s) thereof, but does not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other stated features. Reference made to "one
embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic
described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment
of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one
embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the
specification is
not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the skilled person
will
understand that particular features, structures, or characteristics may be
combined
in any suitable manner within the scope of the invention as defined by the
claims.
In one embodiment, the cleaning machine comprises a housing and at least one
hingeable element. This element is detachably attachable to said housing via a
hinge
structure comprising at least two pairs of magnetizable or magnetic member
surfaces. At least one surface in each pair exhibits a magnetic force for
engagement
with the other surface in said pair. A first member surface in each of said
pairs is
supported by said hingeable element. A second member surface in each of said
pairs
is supported by said housing. When said hingeable element is attached to said
housing, said magnetic force is extending substantially in parallel with a
magnetic
centre axis extending between each of the first member surfaces.
Hereby is provided a simple solution to the general problem of providing a
breakaway. Further, as compared to other rather complex prior art solutions,
such
as disclosed in WO 2011/012481, requiring many manufacturing tools and steps,
manufacture of the present invention is eased, admitting much higher
tolerances
than such prior art.
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The present invention provides the necessary attachment force from the
magnetic
member surfaces to both hold the element in place relative to the housing of
the
cleaning machine and to improve the ease with which the hingeable element can
be
removed totally from the housing. This is due to the fact that a main part of
the
attachment force between housing and element is provided by said magnetic
and/or
magnetizable material, preferably substantially all of the attachment force.
Magnetic members being used for holding into place an element, such as a
cover, on
a housing have been used for many years. However, magnetic members for hinges,
i.e. enabling a pivot action, have not been widely applied. None of the prior
art
hinges seem to be intended for easy removal. In general, the prior art hinges
utilizing magnets have further features included in order to keep the element
in
place relative to the housing, such as pins or rivets.
Applicant is not aware of any magnetic hinges being used within the field of
cleaning
machines, but has found other types of magnetic hinges being used for doors,
boxes,
and mobile phones, for example. One type provides a pair of cylindrical
magnetic
members extending longitudinally along and next to each other with their poles
reversed, such that their mutual magnetic force extends between them
perpendicularly to the longitudinally extending members. This double magnet
provides an increase in the total magnetic force exerted, even when only
providing
one such magnetic pair, which keeps a lid or flap attached to the house during
use.
In some of this known art further pins and springs are provided to increase
the
engagement force between lid and house, and/or to provide a pivot action.
By the invention it has been realized, that the hinge structure of the
cleaning
machine according to the invention is easier to manufacture than prior art
hinge
structures as it requires less attention to small tolerances during
manufacture, and
may then be molded and/or cast with the magnetic or magnetizable members as
required.
By the invention, the applicant has realized that by providing such at least
two
magnetic or magnetizable member surface pairs according to the invention such
that
the magnetic force is extending substantially in parallel with the magnetic
centre
axis, this in fact results in a reduced engagement force as compared to the
prior art
longitudinal parallel double magnet solution. However, by selecting
appropriate
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magnetic materials with a sufficiently strong magnetic force and by adapting
this
force to the weight and physical size/shape of the hingeable element, several
tests
have shown that this in fact provides a sufficient attachment force in the
hinge
structure both to allow the hingeable element to stay attached to the housing
during
5 use, as well as to allow the hingeable element to detach easily from the
housing,
thus to function correctly as a "break away".
Both attractive and repelling magnetic forces may be utilized between the
member
surface pairs, in particular if both members exert a magnetic force.
Preferably, an
attractive force is utilized, both to improve the engagement force and to be
provided
the manufacturing freedom to select both members in magnetic materials, and
one
in magnetic material, one in magnetizable material to decrease the total
material
costs of manufacture. A repellant magnetic force may be achieved by selecting
and
positioning two magnetic members with their surfaces towards each other and
exerting the same polarity.
In this application, the term "magnetizable" is a material property of being
made
temporally or substantially permanently magnetic by contact to a magnet after
the
removal of the magnet, where the term also covers materials which are
attracted to
a magnetic force, such as many metals, in particular iron, Fe/Ni compositions,
and
some metal/polymer or metal/ceramic composites.
The term "magnetic centre axis" is to be understood as an axis extending
through
the geometric centre of the surface section, irrespective of the surface
section shape,
surface curvature per se and of whether the material of the member is
magnetizable
or magnetic per se.
The term "substantially" should herein be taken to mean that ordinary product
variances and tolerances are comprised and allowed.
When said hingeable element is attached to said housing, said at least two
first
member surfaces may be positioned either inwardly or outwardly relative to the
corresponding two second member surfaces along said magnetic centre axis. It
provides two different structural designs, which both function satisfactorily
and
provides a structural stability to the element and housing combination.
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Said at least two first and/or second members surfaces may be provided on the
same magnetic or magnetizable member, such as on a single magnet.
Further, said at least two member surface pairs may be provided on any
suitable
part of the housing/hingable element. The surface pairs are preferably
provided so
as to substantially align in parallel to each other. Preferably, said at least
two first
member surfaces are provided on an edge part of said hingeable element, but
may
also be provided at a distance to the edge part, but then it is suggested to
provide a
good clearance or tolerance in the magnetic engagement of the at least two
member surface pairs.
Said at least two second member surfaces may be provided on any part of the
housing, such as any external or internal part; along, outside or inside any
edge of a
chamber in said housing; enclosing a recess or a protrusion in a surface of
said
housing; as well as being provided on side surfaces of said housing.
In one embodiment of the cleaning machine said at least one hingeable element
is
pivotable around a pivot axis between at least one open and a closed position
relative to the housing. Preferably, said pivot axis substantially coincides
with said
magnetic centre axis. Preferably, said pivot axis substantially coincides with
said
magnetic centre axis at least when not in said closed position. Preferably,
the
hingeable element may then be a cover, lid, or flap covering an external or
internal
opening to a chamber inside the cleaning machine.
In one embodiment of the cleaning machine said at least one hingeable element
further can be positioned in at least one given angle in said at least one
open
position, such as in a multitude of angles in different non-closed positions,
such as a
freely selectable angle, said angle being any between 00 and 360 , preferably
between 0 and 270 , more preferably between 0 and 180 , where said angle is
measured between a plane of said at least one hingeable element relative to a
plane
extending over edges in the housing. As one example, only one open position is
provided, e.g. by providing two or more cooperating notch and latch imprints
in the
material of the housing and the material of the hingeable element, which notch
and
latch cooperates for holding the hingeable element in the open position.
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In one embodiment, said at least one hingeable element and/or the housing is
provided with at least one detach protrusion thereon in such a way that when
the
hingeable element is pivoted around said pivot axis to a certain angle the at
least
one detach protrusion is interacting through the movement relative to the
housing
and/or hingeable element as a lever point. This detach protrusion and any
length of
the element provides a sufficient arm to enable easy detachment of the
hingeable
element from the housing.
In one embodiment, a shape of at least one, preferably all of said member
surfaces
perpendicular to said magnetic force are circular or oval. These shapes aids
in
enabling a pivot action between the surface pairs, i.e. between the hingeable
element and the housing.
In one embodiment, at least one of said magnetic or magnetizable member
surface
is provided with a recess or through-going hole arranged around a magnetic
center
of said member surface. This aids in placing the two member surfaces correctly
relative to each other, and keeps them in position relative to each other,
also during
the pivot action.
In one embodiment, at least one of said magnetic or magnetizable member
surfaces
in a pair comprises a pivot protrusion suitable for engagement with such
recess or
through-going hole in the opposing member. Optionally, said pivot protrusion
is
made from an elastic material, such as a polymer composition, such as an
elastomeric composition. Preferably, the size of the diameter of said pivot
protrusion
is at least around 0.9 times, such as 0.7 times the size of the diameter of
the
opposite recess. By providing such pivot protrusion, the two surface pairs are
more
easily provided correctly relative to each other, and further a decreased
magnetic
engagement force is necessary for holding the hingeable element in place
relative to
the housing. By providing a pivot protrusion of an elastic material, such as a
rubber
insert, the detachment and reattachment action is eased. By limiting the
radius of
the pivot protrusion, the pivot action of the hingeable element is less
hindered,
when e.g. being an elastic pivot, i.e. the pivot action is eased. "Elastic"
means in this
application both supple and resilient, as well as the property of resisting
deformation
by stretching.
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In one embodiment, at least one of said magnetic or magnetizable members is
provided with an outermost non-magnetic or non-magnetizable protection layer,
e.g.
made of a polymer composition. This can improve the visual appearance of the
hingeable element and/or the housing. This can also decrease the risk of
chipping
off parts of the magnetic material during use and frequent de-tachment/re-
attach-
ment. The protection layer may comprise paint, laquer, binder, rubber, tape,
wood,
and/or other preferably non-metallic or non-magnetizable material, such as a
gel,
wax, lubricant or the like.
In one embodiment, the hinge structure is a pinless hinge structure. It has
been
realized by the invention that by providing sufficiently strong magnetic
forces from
the member surfaces relative to the hingeable element weight/size, no pins or
springs are necessary in the hinge structure in order to hold the hingeable
element
in place relative to the housing. Here pins are both pins extending in
parallel with
any member surface, as well as perpendicular to this/these.
The cleaning machine may be any one from the selection of a vacuum cleaner,
such
as a dry or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, a pressure washer, and a floor cleaning
machine, such as a carpet steam cleaner, a sweeper, or a scrubber. The present
invention is advantageous when applied to industrial cleaning machines, such
as
industrial floor cleaning machines, such as industrial vacuum cleaners, where
frequent detachment/reattachment is applied, and where the weight of the
cleaner
is increased.
In one embodiment, the at least one hingeable element is a hingeable cover and
said housing comprising at least one aperture which is coverable by said
hinged
cover.
In one embodiment, the cleaning machine is a vacuum cleaner, and the housing
comprises at least one vacuum chamber forming said aperture in said housing.
In
one embodiment hereof, a housing axis, which extends between the centres of
each
of the second member surfaces being supported by said housing, is not
coinciding
with said magnetic centre axis when the hinged cover is in a closed position
relative
to said housing and the vacuum cleaner is being used, or is coinciding, when
the
hingeable element is not in the closed position relative to said housing. In
one
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embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, said hingeable cover is movable in a
direction
perpendicular to said pivot axis, preferably in a direction perpendicular to a
plane
extending over edges in the housing forming said aperture, for a maximum
movement distance being at least 3 %, such as at least 5 %, such as at least
10 %,
such as at least 20 % of the diameter of one of the magnetic and/or
magnetizable
member surfaces. In one embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, when said vacuum
cleaner is operative for creating a vacuum state in said vacuum chamber, said
hinged cover is movable and provides an airtight fit with said housing. By the
invention, it has been realized, that the magnetic hinge structure enables
both such
airtight fit, the cover being moveable towards and away from the aperture, and
a
lower tolerance being needed during manufacture of the hingeable cover and the
vacuum cleaner housing.
When such a cover is to be applied over a vacuum generating chamber of the
cleaning machine, there is always an additional design consideration, namely
how to
provide the cover and housing with an air-tight fit in order to increase the
vacuum
generation effectiveness. For prior art cleaning machines this tended to
increase the
necessity for pre- and post-installation fitting, further increasing the need
for very
small design tolerances.
In one embodiment of said cleaning machine, said hingeable element is a
detachable accessory for said cleaning machine, such as a plate, an additional
cover,
a filter holder, a suction head accessory. It has by the invention been
realized that
other parts of the cleaning machine may be easily detachable/reattachable as
well,
not only as a cover, but also as internal parts such as partition walls or
suction head
accessories.
By the invention, there is also provided a hingeable element being detachably
attachable to a cleaning machine housing via a hinge structure comprising at
least
two magnetizable or magnetic member surface pairs, at least two first
magnetizable
or magnetic members of said surface pairs being supported by said hingeable
element and being adapted for engagement by magnetic force with at least two
second magnetizable or magnetic members of said surface pairs being supported
said cleaning machine housing, and where said hingeable element is adapted to,
when magnetically attached to said cleaning machine housing, allow said
magnetic
force to extend substantially in parallel with a magnetic centre axis
extending
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between each surface of the first members being supported by said hingeable
element. In one embodiment hereof, the hingeable element is a hingeable cover
suitable to cover a vacuum chamber in a vacuum cleaner. Said hingeable element
is
then substantially held in place relative to said housing primarily via said
magnetic
5 force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
The invention will be explained more fully below in connection with a
preferred
embodiment and with reference to the schematic drawing in which
Fig. 1A, 113 show perspective views of a cleaning machine according
to an
10 embodiment having the hingeable element in a closed
position
and in an open position, respectively;
Fig. 2A, 2B show perspective views of a cleaning machine according
to an
embodiment having the hingeable element in a totally
detached position and in a closed position, respectively;
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a box shaped
cleaning machine housing provided with a hingeable cover;
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a box
shaped
cleaning machine provided with a hingeable cover;
Fig. 5A, 5B show section views of the vacuum cleaner as shown in
Fig. 2B
along the pivot axis, when the vacuum cleaner is in an
inoperable state and when in an operable state, respectively;
Fig. 6A, 6B, 6C show side views of two different magnetic or
magnetizable
members, as well as a member provided with a pivot
protrusion;
Fig. 7A, 7B, 7C show end views of the three members as shown in Fig. 6A,
6B,
and 6C; and
Fig. 8, 8A, 8B shows respectively a perspective view of the embodiment
shown in Fig. 1A and 113 of a cleaning machine provided with
detach protrusions on the housing, and two cut side views
showing the opened element before detachment and under
detachment thereof of the embodiment of the cleaning
machine as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, respectively.
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In the following the invention is being illustrated by examples of a cleaning
machine
1 being a vacuum cleaner. However, it is clear to the skilled person that
different
types of cleaning machines may easily be adapted according to the claimed
invention, such as a dry or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, a pressure washer, and a
floor cleaning machine, such as a carpet steam cleaner, a sweeper, or a
scrubber.
Further, the invention is also being illustrated by the hingeable element in
the
examples of a cover, but may also form other parts of the cleaning machine,
such as
a detachable accessory, such as a plate, e.g. forming a structural part of the
cleaning machine, an additional cover, a filter holder, or a suction head
accessory.
These hingeable elements may be provided on or in an interior or exterior part
of
the cleaning machine 1, as well as provided at, within, or on a side, upper,
or lower
surface thereof.
Fig. 1A and 1B show, in a very schematic way in order to better indicate the
features
of the present invention, and in perspective views, a cleaning machine 1 in
one
embodiment of the invention having a hingeable element or cover 20 in a closed
and
an open position, respectively. The cleaning machine 1 is a vacuum cleaner
comprising a housing 10 having the cover 20 magnetically detachably attached
via a
hinge structure to the housing 10. The cover 20 is provided in order to enter
into
contact with an edge 12 of the housing 10 to cover an aperture 13 for
accommodating a vacuum generator (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner 1. The
hinge structure comprises at least two pairs of magnetizable or magnetic
members
11, 21 and 11, 21 provided with exposed surfaces El, H1 and E2, H2,
respectively.
Each member pair 11, 21 are provided with their exposed surfaces El, H1 facing
each other, i.e. as opposing surfaces, each surface substantially extending
perpendicular to a pivot axis Ap extending between the geometric centres of
each
surface El, Hl.
The vacuum cleaner housing 10 is provided with the cover 20 which is adapted
in
size and shape to be able to fit over an aperture 11 of an interior space
comprising a
vacuum chamber, which is suitable for holding a motor and vacuum generator
(not
shown), and is in fluid communication with an opening with a flange 103
suitable for
attaching and accommodating a suction hose (not shown). The housing 10 in
general further comprise wheels 104, as well as further not indicated
conventional
features known to the skilled person to be provided on a vacuum cleaner 1, but
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these will not be discussed further herein, as they do not form part of the
claimed
invention. The cover 20 is provided with a handle 22, which is optional.
Each surface of the two surface pairs H1, El and H2, E2 engage in pairs in
cooperation two-by-two and enables a simple yet functional magnetic pivotal
attachment between the cover 20 and the housing 10. The magnetic hinge
structure
11, 21; 11, 21 allow the cover 20 to pivot around the pivot axis Ap at an
angle 8
relative to the housing 10 between the closed position as shown in Fig. lA and
e.g.
an open position as shown in Fig. 1B. In Fig. 2A and 2B, the pivot axis Ap
coincides
with a magnetic centre axis Am, which extends between the geometric centres of
the
exteriorly exposed magnetic or magnetizable member surfaces El and E2, also
termed first surfaces, of the element members 11, 11. The geometric centre of
each
surface of the element members 11, 11 also coincides with the position in
which the
magnetic field lines of the magnet or magnets extend from the surface El or E2
substantially perpendicular to said surface.
Within or on the hingeable element or cover 20 the members 21 are provided as
two
separate, similar magnetizable or magnetic members with each their first
surface El
and E2, respectively, being exposed to the exterior of the cover 20. This is
also the
case for the magnetizable or magnetic members 11, 11 of the housing 10. The
remaining surface area of the members (shown by dashed lines) is embedded
inside
the plastic material forming the cover 20 or the housing 10. Alternatively,
the
members can be attached to an outer surface of the cover 20 or housing 10
preferably having at least one surface exposed, i.e. not covered by any
material.
Advantageously, a protecting layer of preferably non-magnetizable material can
be
provided on the exposed surface if an increased wear of this surface is
anticipated
during use, e.g. if the two surfaces El, H2 in a pair lie close to each other,
e.g.
contact each other.
The skilled person will realize that any suitable number of member pairs may
be
applied, such as two, three, four, five, ten, or other practically suitable
number, as
well as any suitable material, size, magnetic field strength, shape of the
members
may be utilized.
Each element member 21, 21 is positioned with its exposed surface El, E2 on
opposing, mutually facing sides of two rectangular element protrusions 25,
which
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extend substantially in parallel to each other and laterally along the cover
20 on the
side edge thereof which faces the housing 10, the element protrusions 25
forming
part of the cover 20. Each element member 21, 21 surface El and E2 are
provided
substantially flush with the element material forming each inner side edge of
the two
protrusions 25 of the cover 20. The two element protrusions 25 fit around a
single
protruding edge part 15, which is provided in the housing 10 and is provided
with
two magnetic members 11, 11, one on each side thereof with exposed second
surfaces H1 and H2 facing away from other. Thus, the exposed second surfaces
H1,
H2 of the housing members 11, 11 embedded in the housing 20 are positioned
inwardly relative to the corresponding two first member 21, 21 surfaces El, E2
along
the magnetic centre axis Am. Fig. 2A and 28 show an embodiment of the present
invention wherein the second surfaces H1, H2 are positioned outwardly relative
to
the first members El, E2 along the magnetic centre axis.
In the embodiment of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 1A and 113 all four
magnetizable or magnetic members 11, 11, 21, 21 are magnetic members, and each
comprise a cylindrical neodymium magnet with a through going central hole
extending in a direction along the pivot axis. The magnetic poles of all four
magnets
11, 21, 21, 11 are provided substantially along the magnetic axis A, with
alternating
poles S/N, S/N, S/N, S/N in order for the largest amount of magnetic force
being
exerted between each pair to improve the engagement force of the cover 20 to
the
housing 10. The magnetic force is in this application then said to be
extending in a
direction in parallel or coinciding with the magnetic axis Am, at least of the
magnetic
members 21, 21. The skilled person would also realize, that other positioning
of the
poles are possible, such as S/N, S/N, N/S, N/S or N/S, N/S, S/N, S/N or N/S,
N/S,
N/S, N/S. Further, pairs comprising a metal or other magnetizable material
such as
an iron plate in combination with a neodymium or other magnet are also
anticipated,
such as Fe, S/N and S/N, Fe, or as S/N, Fe and Fe, S/N.
Other types of magnetic materials for the magnetic members can be anticipated
and
can comprise ferromagnetic materials, such as ferrite or alnico, ceramic
magnetic
materials or rare earth materials, such as neodymium or samarium-cobalt
materials.
The rare earth materials exhibit an increased magnetic force (remanence) of
around
1 to 1.3 Tesla as well as increased magnetic energy densities of around 80 to
440
k3/m3 relative to the magnetic force of ferromagnetic materials, which exhibit
around
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0.2 to 0.4 Tesla and magnetic energy densities of around 10 to 40 kJ/m3.
Alternatively or in addition, an electromagnet positioned inside the housing
can be
employed, which is turned on only during operation and/or when the cleaning
machine is plugged into an electrical outlet.
The term "magnetizable material" includes materials, which can be made
temporally
or substantially permanently magnetic by contact to a magnet after the removal
of
the magnet and materials, which responds to a magnetic force, such as many
metals,
in particular ferrite, Fe/Ni compositions, and metal/polymer or metal/ceramic
composites.
Further, the section or surface shape of the magnetic or magnetizable member
can
comprises any suitable form, such as a cylinder, oval or circular disc,
annular,
spherical, square, and can be provided in one piece or in a combination of a
multitude of such parts, can be provided with a plane, shaped, or worked
exposed
surface, can be recessed, or through bored, and any combination thereof.
Preferably,
the first and second surfaces in a member pair are substantially of
corresponding
size and shape.
The actual physical size of the magnetic member depends upon application, in
particular as to the weight, extent and size of the hingeable element, as well
as the
magnetic force being excerted by the members in each pair, expressed in Tesla
or
kJ/m3, as well as whether the pair or pairs are magnet-magnet or magnet-metal,
where magnet-magnet combinations generally tend to be about 1.5 times stronger
than magnet-magnetizable combinations. In Fig. 1A and 1B, a suitable section
or
exposed surface size of commercially available neodymium magnets can be around
1
cm to 3 cm in diameter, and the magnetic energy density can be around 80 to
200
kJ/m3. Further, during manufacture, by selecting the cover material such as a
light
polymer material, as well as designing the cover appropriately, as well as
selecting
size and strength of the magnets, the cover can become more or less easily
detachable from the housing, which enables the manufacturer to design
according to
size of hingeable element and intended use of the cleaning machine in
question.
The housing 10, at least at the position where the housing 10 is provided with
the
hinge structure, is preferably not made from magnetizable material, at least
around
the embedded magnet, in particular around the exposed surface or surfaces
thereof.
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The hingeable element 20, such as cover, flap, door, partition, etc. may be
made
from any suitable material, such as wood or polymer. Preferably, the element
20 is
not made from magnetizable material, at least in and around the area of
support of
the magnetic pair surfaces. Preferably, a light weight material is used for
the
5 element - this reduces the magnetic force needed to hold the element in
place,
which reduces the manufacturing costs due to member costs.
In Fig. 1B is shown the cleaning machine housing 10 with the cover 20 in an
open
position at an angle 8 thereto. As discussed above, the type and force of
members,
cover design, as well as material etc. may be selected in order for the
attachment
10 force between the two member pairs to allow the cover 20 to be held such
a
continually open position at that angle 8. Either held in that angle 8
specifically, or -
if the magnetic force is further increased or cover weight/design decreased -
held
continually in any angle between 00 and a larger angle than 8, until the upper
surface of the cover 20 makes contact with an edge of the protruding edge part
25
15 of the housing 10.
However, by increasing the hold between the cover 20 and the housing 10, the
ease
and detachability of the cover 20 from the housing 10 is decreased, and the
"break
away" function may be lowered. So it is preferred to select and control the
parameters of member pair strength and cover/housing design in order to reach
a
workable relation between these two functions.
In Fig. 1B, in addition to the magnetic hinge structure, the cover 20 can
further be
aided in staying securely in the closed position by providing a first
magnetizable or
magnetic closure plate 14 on the housing 10 on the edge 12 of the aperture 13
in
the housing 10. The closure plate can cooperate magnetically and enter into
contact
with a second magnetizable or magnetic closure plate 24.
In Fig. 2A and 2B are shown one embodiment of the cleaning machine according
to
the invention having inwardly positioned element member surfaces El, E2,
relative
to the housing member surfaces H1, H2, as opposed to the embodiment shown in
Fig. 1A and 1B.
In both embodiments, Fig. 1A-2B, the cover 20 is able to be completely
detached
and removed from the housing 10, as is shown in Fig. 2A. This may be done in
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several ways, the detachment force being dependent upon the number and pair
attachment force the user is moving against, e.g. by a user gripping manually
and
firmly by the handle 23, when the cover 10 is provided in the closed position
as
shown in Fig. 2B, and moving the cover 20 e.g. up along an angle with the
housing
10, maybe while the user slightly twists the cover 20 on the magnetic centre
axis Am,
and pulls vertically up and away, or by pulling on the cover 20 directly
towards a
user standing in front of the side of the opening 103 on the housing 10, or as
mentioned above, by overriding the maximum angle, the cover 20 can travel
towards the two protruding edge parts 25, in this case. A user may also pull
in one
corner of the cover 20 or pull in the handle 22 obliquely to detach the cover
20 from
the housing 10.
Fig. 2A also show that the magnetic centre axis A, extends between the
geometric
centres of the magnetic members 21, 21 provided in the cover 20, and that the
pivot
axis Ap to be achieved extends between the geometric centres of the housing
elements 11, 11, as well as in parallel with the magnetic centre axis A, as
herein
shown. Fig. 1A and 1B show that when the cover 20 is attached to the housing
10,
the magnetic centre axis A, substantially coincides with the pivot axis Ap,
and is at
least provided in parallel to each other.
The cover is also easily re-attachable, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 2A, the
user
holds the cover 20 manually in a position where the element protrusion 25
draws
near the interspace between the two housing protrusions 15, 15 for the
magnetic
force between the magnetic members 11, 21 and 21, 11 to be increasing and
"guide"
the cover 20 into place there between and attach to the housing 10. Fig. 2B
also
show the visually pleasing appearance of the cleaning machine 1 presenting the
cover 20 in a closed position on the housing 10.
Fig. 3 and 4 show two embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate
some of
the different shapes and forms of the housing 10, such as being box-shaped as
well
as two different positionings of the members with the two pairs of surfaces
El, H1
and E2, H2.
Fig. 3 shows a floor cleaning machine housing 10 comprising a substantially
square
box-shaped housing 10, provided on its entire top face with a cover 20, as
opposed
to the embodiments shown in Fig. 1A-2B, where approximately only half of the
top
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face of the housing 10 was provided with the cover 20. Further, two ferrite-
iron
cylinders are provided as element members 231, 231 in the cover 20 to engage
magnetically with two cylindrical neodymium magnets 131, 131 and provide a
pivotable, detachable cover 20 thereon. By providing the magnetic members 131,
131 inside the housing 10 and not the cover 20, the members 231, 231 in the
cover
20 does not in error magnetically attract any other magnetic or magnetizable
object
along the way, if or when the cover 20 is being detached and reattached again.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a cleaning machine 1 according to the invention,
where the two surface pairs El, H1 and H2, E2 are provided as the exposed
inner
end surface of a circular magnetic plate member 241 on an side edge of the
square
cover 20, the two exposed circular exteriorly facing end surfaces of an
elongated
cylindrical iron member 141, and the exposed inner surface of a further
circular
magnetic plate member 241 on the opposing side edge of the square cover 20.
This
provides a visually more attractive surface, when all hinge structure members
and
surfaces are hidden, or integrated into the design of the cleaning machine 1.
Further,
manufacture of the housing 10 and cover 20 is eased since the provision and
positioning of the members therein can be provided without the use of special
tools,
and can be provided during molding of the housing 10 and/or cover 20.
The hingeable element as well as the magnetic hinge structure may be
positioned
internally (not shown) or externally relative to the housing, see Fig. 1-4, as
well as
on or at a side, top, or bottom surface thereof.
Fig. 5A and 5B show a vertical longitudinal cut section along the pivot axis
Ap of Fig.
2B of the cover 20, hinge structure and an upper part of the housing 10, when
the
cover 20 is in the closed position relative to the housing 10. Fig. 5A shows
the
relative position of the cover 20 when the vacuum cleaner 1 is not running its
vacuum generator, and Fig 5B shows the relative position of the cover 20 when
the
vacuum generator is running and creates a vacuum suction chamber below the
cover 20 within the vacuum cleaner housing 10, i.e. when the vacuum cleaner 1
is
turned off and on, respectively.
Fig. 5A show the cover 20 being in a position in which the pivot axis Ap is
coincident
with the magnetic axis A, as defined by the magnets 21. In this position,
which is
determined by the forces of the two member pairs each comprising magnets 21
and
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11 holding the cover 20 in place relative to the housing 10, there is a gap d
between
each of member pairs comprising the magnets 11 and 21. This gap d may be
purposefully provided and of a certain size, or it may be there due to the
large
design tolerances, which are possible with the present invention.
Advantageously,
the gap d is not larger that the span with which the magnetic forces between
the
two magnet surfaces facing each other are able to operate effectively. Also,
advantageously, the gap d may also be reduced, even to zero, in which case the
exposed surfaces of the magnets 11, 21 may risk friction damages over the
operative life of the cover 20 and housing 10. An outermost non-magnetic or
non-
magnetizable protection layer may then be provided, e.g. made of a polymer
composition. The protection layer may comprise paint, lacquer, binder, rubber,
tape,
wood, and/or other preferably non-metallic or non-magnetizable material, such
as a
gel, wax, or lubricant.
Moreover, a height h between the hinge part of the cover 20 and a flange 12 is
provided along the inner wall 10a of the housing 10 i.e. on a side surface of
the
aperture 13 in the housing 10 and provides a resting place or a maximum
distance
with which the cover 20 may pass into the housing 10. As may be seen from Fig.
5A,
when the vacuum generator is not running, the hinge part of the cover 20 soars
between the member pairs comprising the magnets 11 located in the housing 10
and the magnets 21 located in the cover 20. This effect is due to the mutual
forces
exerted by the magnets 11 and 21. Thus, when the hinge part of the cover 20 is
in
this position, and the vacuum generator is off, the cover 20 may be very
easily be
opened and pivoted around the pivot axis A. The hinge structure enables the
cover
20 to be kept in position by the mutual forces of the magnets 11,21 of the
member
pairs and provides a hinge structure in which there is practically no
resistance due to
friction, and, thus, very low forces are required to move the cover around the
pivot
axis A.
Fig. 5B shows a situation wherein the vacuum generator is running and works to
generate a vacuum chamber thus created within the housing 10. As shown in Fig
5B
the vacuum chamber causes the cover 20 to move towards the flanges 12 thereby
enables a tight closure of the generated vacuum chamber within the housing 10.
This is due to the fact that the downwards acting suction force created by the
vacuum chamber by the vacuum generator is larger than the magnetic forces
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provided by the magnets 11, 21 of the member pairs which were able to keep the
hinge part of the cover 20 in the position as shown in Fig. 5A when the vacuum
generator was not running.
Thus, when the vacuum generator is running, i.e. the vacuum cleaner is
running, the
cover 20 gets sucked towards the flanges 12 on the housing 10 to form a
substantially air tight closure of the vacuum chamber in the housing 10, this
increases the vacuum generating effect. In this situation, as depicted in Fig.
5B, the
cover 20 is displaced in a downwards direction of the drawing so that the
magnetic
axis Am no longer coincides with the pivot axis A. The fact that at least the
part of
the cover 20, wherein the hinge structure is provided, easily can be displaced
provides a high amount of flexibility to the cleaning machine. This allows the
cover
form an air tight closure with the peripheral flange 12 in the housing 10 when
the
vacuum generator is running and when not running the cover 20 may easily be
opened and optionally entirely removed from the housing 10, which allows
access to
15 the interior of the housing 10.
As it may be seen in Fig. 5B the height h is eliminated when the vacuum
generator
is running, while the gap d between the magnets is essentially maintained.
However,
the designed height h should not exceed a maximum height which is the height
where the magnetic force between the exposed surfaces is no longer effective
to
20 hold the cover 20 in place, which maximum height depends on the magnetic
force
exerted between the member pairs, the dimensions of the member surfaces, cover
20 and/or housing 10, the positioning and design of the pivotable element on
and
relative to the housing 10, the weight of the cover 20, the diameter D of the
through
hole in the member relative to the diameter of the exposed member surface,
etc. In
order to increase the effect of the air tight closure, the contacting upper
surface of
the peripheral flange 12 and/or the lower surface 20a of the cover 20 which
contacts
the flange 12 at a peripheral edge of the lower surface 20a may be provided
with an
elastic material, such as an elastomer. Advantageously, the cover 20 is
movable in a
direction perpendicular to the pivot axis Ap, preferably in a direction
perpendicular to
a plane extending over edges in the housing forming said aperture, for a
maximum
movement distance being at least 3 %, such as at least 5 %, such as at least
10 %,
such as at least 20 % of the diameter of one of the magnetic and/or
magnetizable
member surfaces.
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The figures 6A to 7C show different embodiments of members comprising magnets,
which are suitable for use in the hinge structure of the invention.
Alternatively, they
can also show the design of different embodiments of magnetizable members,
made
from e.g. iron.
5 Fig. 6A shows a magnet 11 seen from the side, and Fig. 7A shows this
magnet 11
seen from the front, exhibiting a member surface. As may be seen, this
particular
magnet 11 is a solid cylinder comprising a massive core of a magnetic
material,
which may be an advantage when requiring an increased magnetic force.
This is in contrast to the two members comprising magnets 11 shown in Fig. 6B,
Fig.
10 6C, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C, which all show a member 11 having a through-
going hole
40, advantageously provided in the centre of the magnet, thus forming a
cylinder.
This hole 40 is provided for the magnet 11 to exert a directional magnetic
force,
which aids in positioning the two members of a pair essentially along the
magnetic
axis A,. In magnets, a central hole may also increase the effective magnetic
field, if
15 provided along it, and thereby increase the magnetic forces exerted
between two
magnets, 11, 22 or one magnet and one magnetizable member.
In Figs. 6C and 7C, the through-going hole encompass a body, e.g. of
elastomeric
material, which - when the magnet is provided in the housing or pivotable
element -
provide a pivot protrusion 45. Such a pivot protrusion 45 may engage with a
20 corresponding hole in an opposite hinge structure member and make it
easier to
control the movement of the cover 20 during any pivot action. Further, the
exposed
projecting part of the pivot protrusion 45 is made of an elastic, preferably
elastomeric material for an easier fit of the cover 20 inside the housing 10.
Less
magnetic force is then required between the member pairs.
One or both of the magnetic or magnetizable member surfaces in a pair may
further
be provided with a detach slit between said recess and one side of said member
in
order to enable sliding out said pivot protrusion, when the hingeable element
20 is
being pivoted and detached from the housing 10. The detach slit may be
provided in
a magnetizable or magnetic member at either surface, as a recess therein or
though-going.
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Fig. 8 zooms in on part of the upper surface of the cover 20 and upper surface
of
the housing 10, wherein are provided two detach protrusions 30 in an upper
part of
the single protruding edge part 15 of the housing 10, as is similar to the
embodiment shown in Fig. 1A and 1B. These two detach protrusion 30 are
provided
in parallel to the pivot axis Ap within the housing 10 and work in a similar
manner as
the detach protrusions 30A as shown in Figs. 8A and 8B, but the latter are
instead
provided in the two protruding edge parts 15, as is similar to the embodiment
shown
in Fig. 2A and 2B having inwardly positioned element member surfaces relative
to
the members in the housing 10.
Fig. 8A shows the cover 20 being pivoted open into such an angle wherein the
detach protrusion 30B on the cover 20 is being placed between the two detach
protrusions 30A on the housing 10. Thus, when the cover 20 is pivoted for a
lower
angle, the protrusion 30B remains within the valley between the two
protrusions 30A
and thus the magnetic axis A, (indicated by the leftmost cross) is moved
further
away from the pivot axis Ap (indicated by the rightmost cross), whereby the
magnetic force between the member surfaces is reduced and thus the removal of
the cover 20 from the housing 10 is further eased. The detach protrusions 30,
30A,
30B may additionally function as a notch and latch for keeping the cover 20 in
that
angle and hold it there in one given open position.
